Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-26
WILLfULL WILLIE,
or
Marrying for Money.

Mrs. Kate Shelby had four daughters,
and it was her dearest wish to have
them all marry men of wealth and dis
tiuctlon. So far she had only reason
to regret her plan. She had m .rrled of
her eldest daughter Ethelinda to Old
John Maurice, a horrible old rascal who
had lll-treated her while he lived and
tried to cut her off in his will. Mrs.
Shelby had worried her daughter into
this marriage because afraid she would
elope with her wild cousin, Duke
Moran.
Wilhelmina or Willie, as the young
est daughter was called. Mrs. Shelby
decided must marry nothing less than
baronet, and Sd matters stood at
Shell by Manor at the beginning of this
story.
trees, wiIiul-facea young gIFl, a DARK
and reckless man.
81 would like you to tell me all the
storr, Duke" said Willie.
He laughed bitterly.
| There is not much to tell. 1 had
no mother or sister; was young and
wild, but / had Lot sold myself to the
devil, and l loved Ethie; and she was
an angel and might have made any,
| thing of me. But her mother and
your mother was set against me Ee-
cause 1 was poor. l might have been
a cut-throat and had L money she
would have given her to me. Iknow
Kate Shelbyl But she shut her up,
and never rested till she was safely
married to that old hound, 5IauIice.
Does she know the work she made of
my life, 1 wonderP She shall know!"
"Duke, Dukel you frighten me when
your eyes glitter sol Try aud forget,
since 1t cannot be helped. l want some
cardinal blossoms. VIII you lead the
pony for me as you did yesterday? for L
must not stay much longer l have
been from home two hours now, and If
mamma suspected"--
"Yes; but she does not suspect. And
you will come here every day that L
ask you. little one?"
"Yes; as long as l may. Poor Dukel
do you know that L dream of you at
night? All the time your poor face
haunts me. 1 forget over my embroid-
cry, and Miss Flint makes me take it
out, and 1 stumble in my practising.
But they must not guess. must theyp'
mo; keep our secret for time. BY
and by they shall know"
But Willie shook her ebon curlS.
81 do not know how mamma ever
can know, Duke"
'You are young, Willie. out you
Will be eighteen in d month; and since
a girl does not have such AN offer twice
in a lifetime, you will mary him. SO
let me hear no more against it.
But, mamma. the baron has not
Offered himself to meP'
every certainly not. The Germans
never address a young lady until her
guardians consent Is gained. have
laccepted him for yOu-that is suLic-
lIent. Why, what do you mean. you
wilful girl, opposing your mother thusr
have spoiled you INDUCED you far
too much, Willie. Go to your room; I;
remain there until you can ask my
pardon and be more obedienG."
Ah. flashing young eyesI hold the
little dark hands over them until You
are safe in your room, Willie.
A pebble against the pane! IT'S but
a step from the balcony TO the weather.
Deateh lattice,
Before the small foot touches the
ground strong arm enfoids the 1.-the
waist.
Willie is away to the rendezvousl
Mrs. Shelby's step sounds softly in
the hall. She listens at the closed
door.
All is silent.
81 willnot disturb her tonight, little
baroness" she murmurs, with d proud
smile. LET her sleep, and keep bright
tnose eyes that have won such d
orlze.''
1t was the night before the wedding.
The florId bdron-a man of fifty,
ow-Dearded, jovial. not objection,
able, only as uncongenial to the young
girl he had fallen III love wIth-sat
with Mrs. Shelby in the drawing room
He held jewel case i'll mis- hand. Hls
good natured face was clOuded.
"Why do l never see my preddy
Willie alone?" he asked. signing.
''Sne is a little shy-sO young, you
know, dear baron. But L will send hel
down, and you shall clasp the pearls
ar round her neck yourself"
Radiant-for t1e baron's wedding
gift, d pearl necklace, was magnificent
Mrs, Shelby fitted up the staircase
Tie baron sighed vocally again, lefI
alone In the long, rich room, full o.
damask and old portraits.
"Ah, my preddy Wlllle!' he muir
| nuIeu, SeIliiAS uP anu waning IA'
: door.
1t was evening. a hundred wal
C .ndles burned in the chandelier abovt
, hls head. The rain tapped the high
= narrow windows hidden away in fold
, of cleaning damask.
II was some time before Mrs. Shelby
came in. Her face WAS pale, her bTeatl
hurried.
Sue is not in her room. I canno
find her."
, Before she had ceased speaking /;
: window was flung up; gust of rain.
| air swept through the room, extin
, gushing half the candles. A mal
s-epped over the sill, bearing droop
2 n form in his arms,
=, At Mrs. Shelby's feet lie laid hi
= burden. and the small, white face fel
/. back, and showei-Willie deadl
;, Il did not love her, but tonight sh'
: would have eloped with mel" SAT-
r Duke Moran, in low, terrible voice
! "a hasty step-the rotten bar OF lat
r tice caused her death. The end is tn
/ same-she is stone deadl The light o
i your life has left 1t. Your days ar
darkened, as you have darKened mine
= And now, farewell forever, Kat
Shelbyl"
t He turned on hi3 heel, and vaultin
e lightly through the open window, Wa
r away through the rain and darkness.
But the wretched mother saw moth
ing, knew no hing, save that small
= white face, framed in its ebon curls
q Ay, her pride was broken!
When she arose from her bed of tel
q rible sickness she sought no NOR
worldly distinction for her daughters
Her little girls grew up pure; eac
- made her choice unfettered. An